March to Save Substance Abuse Services at MGHS, Rally June 20th
More Charges Filed Against MGHS: NLRB Hearing Starts July 7th in Marquette - CANCELLED
Support Organizing Efforts @ MGHS
Michigan Nurses Association Supports Your Right to Organize
Charges of Unfair Labor Practice Filed Against MGHS

Rally to Save Substance Abuse Services at MGHS June 20th
Marquette General Hospital Administrators have announced they plan to seriously curtail detoxification facilities and eliminate the state-of-the-art Substance Abuse, and Residential Treatment that our Upper Peninsula Communities have come to depend on for professional services. Marquette General Hospital’s Substance Abuse Services saves lives and mends families. The Michigan Nurse Association believes that the elimination of substance abuse services is a disservice to our communities in the Upper Peninsula.

Join us at a community rally to voice support of the MGHS Registered Nurses and your opposition to the eliminations of these vital services

Tuesday, June 20, 2006, 5:00 – 7:00 pm

Rally kick-off at the American Legion/Harlow Park, near the corner of 7th and Washington Streets in Marquette.

We will march from Harlow Park through downtown Marquette. Rally speakers at 6:00 pm at Harlow Park.  

Basis of the Charges include:

• On or about January 26, 2006, the employer through its agent, Al Hendra, Assistant Administrator HR, ordered supervisors to remove and report union literature from non-work areas.

• On or about January 30, 2006, the employer through its agents, Sheila Laing, Nurse Manager, and Bob Keller, Supervisor, ordered workers under their supervision to view the video “Little Card, Big Trouble” which contains coercive statements in violation of Section 8(a)(1). Such videos were viewed by workers throughout the week 2006.

• On or about March 1, 2006, the employer through its agent, William Nemacheck, CEO, made changes to its Workforce Reduction Policy in retaliation for workers exercising their Section 7 rights.

• On or about March 6, 2006, the employer through its agent, Bob Keller, Lab Supervisor, interrogated and polled workers about their union sympathies in violation of Section 8(a)(1).

• On or about April 1, 2006, the employer through its agent, William Nemacheck, CEO, made changes to its Workforce Reduction Policy in retaliation for workers exercising their Section 7 rights.

• On or about April 3, 2006, the employer through its agent, Sheila Laing, Nurse Supervisor, interrogated and polled workers on their union sympathies in violation of Section 8(a)(1).

NRLB Appeal and New Charges in PDF Format   Requires Acrobat Reader Available Here

The NLRB is presently investigating the new charges and doing some further investigation of the earlier charges. The NLRB hearing has been rescheduled from July 12, 2006 to August 7, 2006 in Marquette.  These
hearings are open to the public so feel free to attend.

Revival of the old charges proves to MGHS employees that the UAW will stick by them and that it's up to them to take a stand on their own behalf. MGHS Employees: United We Bargain, Divided We Beg

Petitions ask that MGHS join many enlightened corporations and progressive employers who have chosen the path of labor management cooperation by agreeing to be neutral and refraining from any attempts to influence the union choice of their employees, thereby avoiding unnecessary cost and unfair delays at the National Labor Relations Board. For More Information click on the MGHS link at the top of any page.

Dear Marquette General Health System Employee:

On behalf of the 450 registered nurses who are members of the Michigan Nurses Association, we applaud the decision at Marquette General Health System to seek the right to bargain with your employer. No matter how good management is, they cannot do for you what you can do for yourself through union representation. As union members, you will have the right to select your own representatives dedicated to the advancement of interests that are freely established by your group.

MNA values our alliance with the UAW. Our partnership brings together two of Michigan’s most effective and experienced unions to help health care workers in Michigan have a strong voice. At hospitals like Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, nurses, technicians, therapists, aides, and all other health care workers are the benefactors of the relationships and power our two unions have built. We can be a positive influence together to deal with the challenges that face us all in the future. You cannot do that at any level if you are not organized.

A union can help create a more level playing field with your employer. Instead of one person telling management that wages should be fair, health and safety regulations should be followed and employees deserve good health care benefits, a union helps you speak together, in one voice. And that chorus of voices has more power than one lone voice. A union is the vehicle workers can use to help bring the chorus together.

Of course, the management at MGHS will try to convince you otherwise, because it is in their best interest to see that you don’t join together. Almost every employer spends a lot of time trying to convince employees that they shouldn’t form a union. Our management is no different, and they will work hard to resist your efforts to join the UAW because there is strength in numbers and unity. Joining the UAW will ensure that you have one strong voice in decisions affecting you at work. Although management will continue its campaign of deception, we know the strength and tenacity of our fellow workers in the UP, and you will succeed. Remember, if you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything. This is the time to make a difference for you, your coworkers, your families, and the communities in which you live. We look forward to working with our brothers and sisters to ensure fair working conditions and quality patient care at Marquette General Health System.

Carolyn Hietamaki, RN, President
for the RN Council Executive Committee
Registered Nurses Staff Council
of Marquette General Health System

John Armelegos, RN, President
Michigan Nurses Association
Cabinet on Economic & General Welfare

Charges of Unfair Labor Practice Filed Against MGHS

Charges have been filed with the National Labor Relations Board by the UAW against Marquette General Hospital stating the employer has engaged in and is engaging in alleged unfair labor practices within the meaning of section 8(a), subsections (1) and 8 (a) 3of the National Labor Relations Act, and these alleged unfair labor practices are unfair practices affecting commerce within the meaning of the Act.

Basis of the Charges include:

• On or about January 15, 2006, the employer through its agent, Chuck Kangas, Supervisor of Housekeeping, was seen removing union literature from an employee break room.

• On or about January 24, 2006, the employer through its agent, Naomi Richards, Employee Relations Representative, illegally threatened an employee with continued surveillance and immediate discharge for union activity.

• On or about January 25, 2006, the employer through its agent, Dan Derosia, Director of Employment, illegally suspended, Mark Norris, a known union supporter.

• On or about January 26, 2006, the employer through its agent, Bruce Johnson, Acting Director of EMS, announced that there would be a reduction in staffing levels of EMS Personnel.

• On or about January 27, 2006, the employer through its agent, William Nemacheck, CEO, issued a letter, to all employees, illegally threatening layoffs.

• On or about February 9, 2006, the employer through its agent, Dan Derosia, Director of Employment, illegally terminated Mark Norris for union activity.

• On or about February 14, 2006, the Employer has begun the actual work hour reductions to carry out the threat by Mr. Nemacheck’s letter dated 2/27/06.

By the above and other acts, the above-named employer has interfered with, restrained, and coerced employees in the exercise of the rights guaranteed in Section 7 of the Act.